My Collection

How to Identify Astronaut Autopens

Autopen machines often vibrate when they are in use creating a very distinctive "shaky" signature. Click here to see Examples of shaky signatures that these machines often produce.

Autopens come to an abrupt halt at the end of a letter and frequently leave a noticeable spot of ink at the ends of letters and words. Lines in the Autopen are of the same thickness.

Autopens do not always create identical signatures, if the item being signed is moved accidentally (or deliberately) small differences will be noticeable in the final signature. Small variations from known Autopen patterns does not mean the signature is authentic, if - when you ignore the variation - other parts of the signature match the Autopen pattern exactly, then what you are looking at is an Autopen. One thing that must also be kept in mind is that the use of pens with thicker or narrower nibs will make them appear very different - until you examine them closely and compare them to known Autopen patterns.

How to not get ripped off

1. Book mark our Autopen Guide Page and Stephen Beck's Autopen Page right now.

2. Buy a copy of Russ Still's book, Relics of the Space Race, which contains a very useful Autopen guide (and unlike a web site, can be carried to Autograph shows and Auctions for instant reference).

3. Before buying anything on sites like eBay, refer to as many Autopen and forgery guides as possible.

4. If the picture on the Auction/web site is not clear enough email the seller and ask for a better scan of the Autograph.

Resources

Relics of the Space Race, Third Edition by Russell Still

An excellent collection of Apollo Astronaut Autopens http://www.geocities.com/~sbeck/astroap.htm

Space Mike's Autopen Guide http://www.spacemike.com/seite/asp/autopens.htm

Richie's Collection of Astronaut and Cosmonaut Autographs (also has a useful Autopen gallery)... http://www.geocities.com/richieb31619/index.html

Bob McLeod's excellent collection of Astronaut and Cosmonaut Autographs. Bob's web site also has an informative section on space Autograph forgeries.